Occupant protection system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for protecting an occupant in a vehicle seat, through the use of an occupant protection system is disclosed, wherein the vehicle seat includes a backrest section and a seat section. The occupant protection system includes a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag, wherein the first airbag assembly is containable within an airbag recess located within a vehicle roof portion. A second airbag assembly is included having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The second airbag assembly is mounted to a frame that is integrated with the seat while being external to a seat cushion. The first inflatable airbag is configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. The second inflatable airbag is configured to extend upward from the deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for protecting anoccupant within a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Conventional occupant protection systems include an inflatablerestraint, such as an airbag that inflates when the vehicle experiencesa collision or roll-over event. When the airbag is in the inflatedstate, it extends into the vehicle occupant compartment at a locationadjacent to an occupant of the vehicle. In certain collisions orroll-over events, a curtain airbag, a seatback-mounted side airbag,and/or a seat cushion-mounted side airbag may be deployed for occupantprotection. Although these conventional occupant protection systems helpreduce injury to vehicle occupants, there exists a wide horizon forimprovement. It is recognized that the coordination of the deploymentand inflation of airbags in conventional systems is both cumbersome andinefficient. Additionally, conventional occupant protection systems areincapable of providing adequate occupant coverage in a cost-effectiveand efficient manner.

The present invention was conceived in view of these and otherdisadvantages of conventional occupant protection systems.

SUMMARY

A system and method for protecting an occupant is disclosed. Theoccupant protection system is for a vehicle having a roof portion,wherein the roof portion includes at least one airbag recess. The systemincludes at least one occupant seat having a frame integrated with abackrest section and a seat section. The seat section includes a seatcushion. A first airbag assembly is included having a first inflatableairbag, wherein the first airbag assembly is containable within theairbag recess of the roof portion. A second airbag assembly is disclosedhaving a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The secondairbag assembly is mounted to the frame that is integrated with the seatsection and is external to the seat cushion. The first inflatable airbagis configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below apassenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.The second inflatable airbag is configured to extend upward from theseat section through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region whilein an inflated state.

The method of protecting occupants within a vehicle is disclosed whereinthe vehicle includes a roof portion having at least one airbag recess.The vehicle also includes at least one occupant seat having a frameintegrated with a backrest section and a seat section. Additionally, theseat section includes a seat cushion.

The method includes providing an occupant protection system having afirst airbag assembly that includes a first inflatable airbag. The firstairbag assembly is containable within the airbag recess of the roofportion. The occupant protection system also includes a second airbagassembly having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location.The second airbag assembly is mounted to the frame that is integratedwith the seat section. The second airbag assembly may be mounted to theframe while being external to the seat cushion.

The method includes sensing the occurrence of a vehicular condition. Themethod also includes deploying the first airbag upon sensing thevehicular condition, thereby causing inflation of the first airbag. Thefirst airbag then extends downward from the roof portion through apassenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.The method also includes deploying the second airbag upon sensing thevehicular condition, thereby causing inflation of the second airbag. Theinflated second airbag then extends upward from the seat section througha passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.Depending upon the vehicular condition, the first bag or the second bagmay be deployed in any order or simultaneously.

The above embodiments and other embodiments, features and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention are set forth with particularityin the appended claims. The present invention, both as to itsorganization and manner of operation, together with further objectivesand advantages thereof, may be best understood with reference to thefollowing description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle having an occupant protection system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate multiple views of an airbag assembly beingmounted to a vehicle seat in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate multiple views of an airbag assembly atvarious orientations having deployed airbags in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a vehicle seat having an airbag assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

By way of example, a system and method for implementing the presentinvention is described below. The system and methodology may be adapted,modified or rearranged to best fit a particular implementation withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 12 is illustrated having an occupantprotection system 10. Vehicle 12 includes a door 14 that is operativelyconnected to a roof 16 and a floor 17. Roof 16 includes a recess oropening 18 for placement of an airbag assembly 20. Accordingly, occupantprotection system 10 includes airbag assembly 20 having an airbag 22, aseat 24 and an airbag assembly 30 having an airbag 34. Seat 24 includesa backrest section 24 a and a seat section 24 b. A frame 26 may beintegrated with backrest section 24 a and seat section 24 b.Additionally, frame 26 includes a seat track 28 that enables movement ofseat 24 and mounting of seat 24 to floor 17. It is recognized that frame26 may include any rigid body capable of securing and stabilizing seat24 to floor 17. As such, frame 26 may also extend external to seatsection 24 in a manner that enables mounting of air bag assembly 32.Furthermore, as recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, occupantprotection system 10 includes multiple sensors (not shown) that areconfigured to sense the occurrence of a vehicular condition, such as aside-impact or roll-over event.

As described above, airbag assembly 30 includes an airbag module 32 andan airbag 34. In the event of a vehicular condition, such as a sideimpact collision, airbags 22 and 34 may be deployed in a manner thatminimizes any physical impact and injury experienced by an occupant 13.For example, in the event of a side collision with door 14, airbag 34 isdeployed and inflated so as to provide a barrier between door 14 andoccupant 13. Additionally, airbag 22, while in a deployed and inflatedstate, protects occupant 13 from colliding with upper portions of door14. Accordingly, as shown, airbag 22 is configured to extend downwardfrom roof 16 through a shoulder-thorax protection region 23, therebyproviding coverage for the head, neck, shoulder and thorax areas ofoccupant 13. Furthermore, airbag 34, while in a deployed and inflatedstate, is configured to extend upward from seat section 24 b through apelvic-thorax protection region 35. As such, the pelvic, mid-abdominaland thorax areas of occupant 13 are protected from impact.

In one embodiment, an air gap 36 exists between airbags 22 and 34. Inone aspect of the present invention, air gap 36 may have a length of upto 6 inches. In alternative embodiments, it is recognized that airbag 22may physically contact airbag 34 while both are in the deployed andinflated state, thereby eliminating air gap 36. As described in theforegoing, airbag assemblies 20 and 30 include modules 21 and 32,respectively. Modules 21 and 32 each include an inflator that enablesinflation of airbags 22 and 34 upon sensing of a vehicle condition. Theinflators are capable of supplying gas to air bags 22 and 34 therebycausing inflation of airbags 22 and 34.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D, multiple embodiments are shown of airbagassembly 30 being mounted to seat 24. As illustrated, airbag assembly 30may have various orientations with respect to seat track 28. It isrecognized that the orientation of airbag assembly 30 may vary dependingon the seat design and/or performance requirements of occupantprotection system 10. Airbag assembly 30 also includes a deploymentlocation 30 b that is an area of airbag assembly 30 from which airbag 34(FIG. 1) is deployed. For illustration purposes, deployment location 30b includes a darker shaded line drawn normal to deployment location 30b. Depending upon the orientation of airbag assembly 30 (specificallydeployment location 30 b), the particular coverage for the occupant mayvary. In one embodiment, airbag assembly 30 may be mounted to the frameof seat 24 in a manner that enables optimal coverage for the occupant,despite movement or repositioning of seat 24 along seat track 28.Additionally, as shown, airbag assembly 30, which is mounted to frame 26may be external to cushion 25, and may have a deployment locationintegral with a trim panel 38.

As described above, deployment location 30 b of airbag assembly 30 mayhave an orientation that varies in reference to seat track 28. In oneaspect of the present invention, the airbag assembly 30 may be mountedto the frame such that the angle measured between seat track 28 and thedeployment location 30 b (or the line drawn normal to the deploymentlocation 30 b) ranges from 0 degrees to 120 degrees. Referringspecifically to FIG. 2A, an embodiment is shown wherein the airbagmodule is oriented such that an angle 31 measured between seat track 28and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 90degrees. FIG. 2B illustrates an additional embodiment wherein the airbagmodule is oriented such that the angle 31 measured between seat track 28and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 65degrees. FIG. 2C illustrates another embodiment wherein the airbagmodule is oriented such that the angle measured between seat track 28and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b (which isparallel to the seat track 28) is 0 degrees. FIG. 2D illustrates yetanother embodiment wherein the airbag module is oriented such that theangle 31 measured between seat track 28 and a line drawn normal to thedeployment location 30 b is about 30 degrees. It is recognized that boththe mounting location on the frame and orientation of airbag assembly 30may vary from the illustrated embodiments without departing from thescope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, additional embodiments are shown whereinairbag 34 is in a deployed and inflated state. Specifically, referringto FIG. 3A, the airbag module is oriented such that the angle 31measured between seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to thedeployment location 30 b is about 100 degrees. Referring to FIG. 3Bspecifically, the airbag module is oriented such that angle 31 measuredbetween seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to the deploymentlocation 30 b is about 90 degrees. Now referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, thecoverage for occupant 13 may be adapted to provide optimal protection asillustrated by the deployed and inflated airbags 34.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment is shown wherein airbagassembly 30 is enclosed within trim panel 38. Accordingly, trim panel 38is attachable to the seat section of seat 24. As such, upon deploymentand inflation of the airbag, trim panel 38 may detach, open, and/orseparate from the seat section. The variations described in attachingthe airbag assembly 30, in terms of location, orientation and packagingenables it to be deployed without interference with both seat mountedand vehicle body mounted seatbelt systems. The embodiments shown enablethe airbag to deploy and inflate without interference from a seatbelt35, a reclining lever 33 or other seat controls. FIG. 4B illustrates yetanother example wherein airbag 34 is in an inflated state after beingdeployed, thereby providing protection for the pelvic-thorax region ofthe occupant.

While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described indetail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates willrecognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing theinvention as defined by the following claims.

1. An occupant protection system for a vehicle having a roof portion, wherein the roof portion includes at least one airbag recess, the system comprising: at least one occupant seat having a frame integrated with a backrest section and a seat section, wherein the seat section includes a seat cushion; a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag and a deployment location, the first airbag assembly being mounted to the frame that is integrated with the seat section, the frame being external to the seat cushion; a second airbag assembly having a second inflatable airbag, the second airbag assembly being containable within the airbag recess; and the first inflatable airbag being configured to extend upward from the deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state, and the second inflatable airbag being configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in the inflated state, wherein the first airbag assembly and the second airbag assembly are deployed sequentially.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a seat track for mounting the seat to a vehicle floor, the first airbag assembly being mounted to the frame and having an angle in the range of 0° and 120° between the deployment location and the seat track.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first airbag assembly includes an airbag module having an inflator adapted to cause inflation of the first airbag.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second airbag assembly includes an airbag module having an inflator adapted to cause inflation of the second airbag.
 5. The system of claim 1, further including a trim panel that is attachable to the seat section to substantially enclose the first airbag assembly having the first airbag.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein an air gap exists between the first inflatable airbag and the second inflatable airbag while in the inflated states.
 7. An occupant protection system for a vehicle having a roof portion, wherein the roof portion includes at least one airbag recess, the system comprising: at least one occupant seat having a frame integrated with a backrest section and a seat section, the seat section including a seat cushion; a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag and a deployment location, the first airbag assembly being mounted to the frame that is integrated with the seat section, the frame being external to the seat cushion; a second airbag assembly having a second inflatable airbag, the second airbag assembly being containable within the airbag recess; the first inflatable airbag being configured to extend upward from the airbag deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state, the second inflatable airbag being configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state; and wherein an air gap of up to 6 inches exists between the first inflatable airbag and the second inflatable airbag while in the inflated states.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the frame includes a seat track for mounting the seat to a vehicle floor and wherein the first airbag assembly, having the deployment location, is mounted to the frame with an angle in the range of 0° and 120° between a line that is normal to the deployment location and the seat track.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first airbag assembly includes an airbag module having an inflator adapted to cause inflation of the first airbag.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the second airbag assembly includes an airbag module having an inflator adapted to cause inflation of the second airbag.
 11. The system of claim 7, further including a trim panel that is attachable to the seat section to substantially enclose the first airbag assembly having the first airbag.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the first airbag assembly and the second airbag assembly are deployed sequentially.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein deployment of the first airbag assembly precedes deployment of the second airbag assembly.
 14. A method of protecting occupants within a vehicle having a roof portion that includes at least one airbag recess, at least one occupant seat having a frame integrated with a backrest section and a seat section, wherein the seat section includes a seat cushion, the method comprising: providing an occupant protection system including, a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag and a deployment location, the first airbag assembly being mounted to the frame that is integrated with the seat section, the frame being external to the seat cushion; a second airbag assembly having a second inflatable airbag, the second airbag assembly being containable within the airbag recess, sensing the occurrence of a vehicular condition; deploying the first airbag upon sensing the vehicular condition, thereby causing inflation of the first airbag, wherein the first airbag extends upward from the deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state; and deploying the second airbag upon sensing the vehicular condition, thereby causing inflation of the second airbag, wherein the second airbag extends downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state; wherein deploying the first airbag and deploying the second airbag occur sequentially.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the frame includes a seat track for mounting the seat to a vehicle floor and wherein the first airbag assembly is mounted to the frame having an angle in the range of 0° and 120° between a line that is normal to the airbag deployment location and the seat track.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein providing an occupant protection system includes a trim panel that is attachable to the seat section to substantially enclose the first airbag assembly having the first airbag.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein an airgap exists between the first inflatable airbag and the second inflatable airbag.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the air gap does not exceed 6 inches.
 19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first airbag assembly and the second airbag assembly include an airbag module having an inflator being adapted to cause inflation of the first airbag and the second airbag, respectively. 